Flintshire-born former Wales rugby union international Ian Buckett has sadly passed away

One of North Wales’ finest ever rugby union players has sadly passed away.

Holywell-born Ian Buckett, a former chairman of Flint Rugby Club who earned three full caps for Wales, was aged just 56.

Buckett was admired and feared in equal measure as a loose head prop who played for Wales throughout the age-grade ranks before going on to win senior honours.

He made 186 appearances for Swansea over 10 seasons and played for the All Whites against New Zealand in 1989 and South Africa in 1994.

Buckett was capped for Wales at U16 level against Scotland in 1983, toured Zimbabwe with the Welsh Secondary Schools in 1985 before going on to win three caps against Scotland, England and Ireland the following year from Holywell High School.

He played for Wales Students at the inaugural World Students Cup in 1988 and after graduating from Swansea University in 1992, where he studied English Literature and Ancient History and Civilisation, he went up to Oxford University.

The North Walian represented the Barbarians for the first time in 1990 while still a student and after taking up a Stanley’s Scholarship to go to Oxford he featured in the 1992 Varsity Match at Twickenham.

He played for West Wales against Japan in 1993 and Wales A against the USA in 1994.

Buckett toured with Wales to Zimbabwe and Namibia in 1993, scoring on his debut in a win over Zimbabwe B, to Canada and the South Seas in 1994, where he made his international debut in the win over Tonga, and to North America in 1997, when he featured in the Test victories over the USA and Canada.

CLWB RYGBI Y FFLINT/FLINT RUGBY CLUB paid the following tribute on social media:

“It is with great sadness that Flint Rugby Club announce the sad passing of Ian Buckett.

“Ian started his illustrious rugby career at Delyn RFC, where his talents were soon recognised and was selected for Welsh Schools. He then played for a number of North Wales clubs and Birkenhead Park before moving down to play for Swansea.

“Ian spent 10 seasons at Swansea and in that time, he played for Wales U21, Wales A and  represented the Barbarians against Argentina, Leicester and Newport. He gained an Oxford blue while studying at Oxford University.

“Ian topped his rugby career with 3 full caps and 9 uncapped appearances for Wales.

“In 1998 Ian left Swansea and headed for London and played for London Welsh

“Once Ian had finished playing first class rugby he returned to his home Holywell and club Flint, where he shared his wealth of knowledge and experience helping the club, being chairman for 3 years, even playing for a season and turning out for the North Wales Barbarians a few times.

“Ian was also instrumental in helping RGC in their early years, putting his experience of being a professional player & solicitor to good use.

“Ian has touched so many lives and he’ll be sorely missed, not only at Flint RFC, but also throughout North Wales, Wales and the wider rugby community.

“Ian was a gentleman and good friend to everyone, our thoughts go out to Ian’s son Conor & family, rest in peace old friend.”

Ian Buckett was chosen for this website’s all time North Wales Rugby Union XV in 2021.